Final answer:
The treatment method where a psychologist pairs relaxation therapy with the thought of a feared object to treat a phobic disorder is called 'systematic desensitization.' It is an exposure therapy technique that reduces fear by associating the feared stimulus with relaxation.
Step-by-step explanation:
A psychologist seeking to treat a client with a phobic disorder by pairing relaxation therapy with the thought of the feared object is referring to systematic desensitization. This therapeutic approach was developed by Joseph Wolpe and involves three primary steps: establishing an anxiety hierarchy, teaching the client relaxation techniques, and gradually exposing the client to the feared object or situation while in a relaxed state. It is based on the principle of counterconditioning, where a response that is incompatible with anxiety (relaxation) is paired with the anxiety-provoking stimulus until the fear reaction is diminished or eliminated. Systematic desensitization is a type of exposure therapy, which is a broad category of therapy that involves confronting fears. Unlike aversion therapy, which associates negative outcomes with undesirable behaviors, desensitization aims to reduce fear through positive association with relaxation. Research into similar cognitive processes, such as the work by Gerardi et al. (2010) on virtual reality exposure therapy for PTSD, supports the notion that guided exposure can be therapeutic for anxiety disorders.